Knitted brows and pressed lips were inscribing the war Thalaa was on; with himself. To be fair, I waited a moment more. But the words were stuck with him. Even as I reached the couch, grabbed my bag and made way to the exit, he was still situated at his pose, mute and staring at the floor.

"You said I could trust you, but you don't even trust yourself, " I mumbled, turning the door handle and ready to leave.

Without my force, the door pushed forward. But the rustles coming from the kitchen got my attention first, where Thalaa had his eyes on me. His lips parted, a heavy sigh was withdrawn along his confession, "I'm Alatha."

Before I could react, a hand grasped mine. Shock hit me from my front and back. As I spun, a hodded Alfie stood behind the door. "I know him, her, " he whispered.

"You know him? Her?" I repeated his words under my breath.

As if defeated, Thalaa swivelled, back facing me to brace on the sink. "Just... Go," he bawled.

Consumed by confusion, my feet took the step reluctantly. Alfie's eyes were narrowed to slits at the man who I'd just found out was my childhood friend until the door clicked shut.

With hands probing me on a thorough inspection, he started, "Did you two? Did anything happen?"

"No, he was actually nice. He was-"

Alfie sighed, cutting off my words to tell him about Thalaa's identity. "He was involved with Amy, " he declared.

The stern on Alfie's face hinted his affliction. Therefore, I decided not to drag about the matter. After all, I got my answer on how he knew Thalaa. His connection with Amy didn't surprise me. The three of us was once close; we grew up together. Should there be more to it?

Despite unwilling to leave without resolve, seeing Alfie out in the open made me relent. We hasted along the hall and down the stairs in silence. When we stopped at the side of the motel, I halted. "You shouldn't be here. It's risky."

"I could feel your distress, Charis. I was worried, " he clarified.

"You could feel me?" I questioned, the corner of my lips moving upward into a smile. Knowing the connection had returned brought warmth to my heart. I'd once lost it, we both did for believing each other was gone.

Pulling me into his embrace was all the answer I needed. The vibrato under his chest was an aid to my calmness, but it couldn't help me get off the worry for Thalaa. Somehow I felt there was something about him, something to do with the grief in his eyes.

***

The warmth on my belly invited my wake. I yawned, reaching for the source under the comforter. It was a hand caressing me there. When I opened my eyes, amazement subbed in by two beautiful green eyes looking at me. It had such intensity of verdant hues but only lasted for a mere second before a single blink transformed it back to hazel.

"Alfie?" I managed to say although baffled at the sight.

Too fast for me to evade, a single move drove his lips to mine. It lingered for a quick second before he retracted.

"Morning." His smile flickered before it dimmed by the sheer lines on his forehead. "It's the day, " he added, voice barely registering. Worry failed to constraint its presence.

Amidst my scrutiny, he got up and swiveled. In the instant, his bulky frame caught my eyes. There was something about it after I saw Thalaa which brought back the image of Amy's murder. The eerie thought suggested something I hoped was untrue.

It couldn't be...

Pushing the idea aside, I paced towards the bathroom. Three days had passed since the scene with Thalaa, and the needed identification for Alfie was sitting ready for our big rescue operation.

After freshening up and a change of clothes, it was time to plant the chip. I'd pushed the matter long enough for the reason of refusing to hurt my Alfie. But there was no time left; the trio urged me with their messages of soon arriving. Concentrate Charis, concentrate! I told myself, noticing the tremble giving off from my fingers on the scalpel.

Alfie kissed my cheek, wearing a smile. He took the sharp tool from me then faced the mirror hanging on the wall. "It's okay, I can do it, " he said. Like drawing, he made the incision. My eyes were glued on the crimson trickling down to the side of his arm until he called, "The microchip."

I hastened to him with the microchip. When he held out his hand, I shook my head. I wanted to finish it, trusting my gentle hands would do less damage to his flesh. His cheeky grin aired no hesitation, aiding my calm. Under no pressure, I transferred the chip and pushed it through his layer of muscle.

"I should get a present for being a good boy, " Alfie said smirking while I fix his wound.

Health technology had outdone itself. In mere seconds there were only a slight swollen and mark rested where the cut was. If we had the injector gun, the procedure could've been easier.

A tinge of heat rose to my face, but I kept my repose. "April, July and Ember could be here any second."

"Nah, they're still a few meters away." He shrugged.

"How do you know that?"

With a straight face, he replied, "I recognise them. I could identify their chemical emission point."

My eyes stared at him, taking a moment to register his words. After long, I still failed to understand it. But as if noticing my confusion, he smiled.

"It's complicated Charis. I think it's what they called CO2. Everyone, everything has a particular reference. But I can only trace it on the open, " he explained. After zipping up his coat, he gave me a peck. "Now you can say they'll be here in any second."

I was in utter disbelief if not for the sudden knock on the door. Without words, I hustled to permit whoever it was the entry. On instant, my eyes scanned the two ladies standing at the threshold.

"Aren't we on a mission? Or we're going to a fashion show?" I questioned.

"This is our battle suit for this kind of task, Charis. We're dealing with women here, not barbarians, " July answered, adjusting the intricate accessory sitting on her head with a silly smirk.

Ember who stood next to her was busy fixing the straps of her maxi. She looked uncomfortable in it. "I can't wait to turn this dress into ashes " she gritted with an awkward smile.

Vibrant colours from head to toe, puff skirts and heels probably no less than four-inch in length were making them an outright beacon. What were they thinking?

"If you're ready, let's get on the road!" April called from the inside of a car parked near the patio. I recognised the vehicle instantly after twice riding in it.

"Isn't that..." I muttered.

"Oh yeah, we borrowed the boss's car. We're going in style, " July chuckled.

To be continued...

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Thank you for reading. Every read, comment and votes are a treasure to me.

So we are down to only 4 more episode before this book wraps. Thank you for being in this journey with me. Love you all.